The Byford rail extension in WA has taken the next step forward with the submission of the Stage 1 business case to Infrastructure Australia, the next step to securing vital funding for the project.
The extension will see an additional 8km of rail added to the Armadale Line, extending it out to the fast-growing suburb of Byford, which is set to double in population by 2036 to 35,000 residents.
The rail line will also provide a public transport solution to the growing population in the Serpentine-Jarrahdale area, which has almost tripled in population since 2011 to 27,000. Similar growth rates are expected to continue into the future, with a further 100,000 expected to move to the area by 2050.
The extension will provide more public transport opportunities for residents in Perth’s fast-growing southern suburbs, linking the community to major activity centres and employment hubs including Armadale, Cannington and the Perth central business district, with work on the line tracking ahead and construction expected to start in 2021.
It will also include ‘future proofing’ a staged extension to Mundijong to ensure the project integrates with potential longer-term land use and transport outcomes for the area.
METRONET is working closely with Infrastructure Australia and the Commonwealth Government to prepare the Stage Two submission.
The next phase involves further business case development, including engineering and land use planning to support long-term growth in the Armadale and Byford areas while exploring potential station locations and land use opportunities.
Western Australian Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said, “The Byford rail extension is an important METRONET project and our submission to Infrastructure Australia shows we continue to pursue it as a priority project.
“Byford’s population is set to double to more than 35,000 people by 2036 and public transport investment is needed to meet this growing community’s needs.
“Extending the Armadale Line will give those living in Byford and beyond a real alternative to travelling around Perth by car, with travel times that can vary due to road congestion.
“This is an important step forward on the project, with construction on track with our commitment at the election.
“Our METRONET projects are pressing ahead at full steam with the Forrestfield-Airport Link on track to open in late 2021, upgrades to Bayswater Station to start at the end of this year and the recent route alignment for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line announced.”
